Playa del Carmen to Renew Eight Blue Flag Beach Certifications, Eyes Two More

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — Playa del Carmen is preparing to renew Blue Flag international certification for eight public beaches, with a flag-raising ceremony scheduled for Oct. 23, officials said.

The municipality also wants to bring Calle 6 and Mamita’s beaches into the program for the 2027-2028 cycle, said Irving Rafael Lili Madrigal, director of the Federal Maritime-Terrestrial Zone (Zofemat). He said both candidate beaches need maintenance and improvement work before the town can request the required audit.

In addition to the eight beaches managed by the municipality, seven beaches belonging to hotels hold the distinction and remain in coordination with local authorities, Lili Madrigal said.

On current coastal conditions, the official reported minimal sargassum landings along nearly the entire coastline, driven by recent winds. A cleanup operation is continuing with Zofemat staff, machinery and Mexican Navy personnel.

About 300 people take part daily — roughly 145 Zofemat workers and 150 Navy personnel — and that arrangement will remain in place through the end of the year, he said.

Lili Madrigal also announced a cleanup day on Oct. 24 focused mainly on collecting microplastics. Schools, unions, public servants, civil associations and residents will take part.

The effort will run simultaneously along seven kilometers of Playa del Carmen’s coast and at sites in Puerto Aventuras and Xpu-Ha, with the aim of promoting community involvement in beach conservation.